Bagging mechanism

ABSTRACT

A bagging mechanism includes a fixed frame, a storage box coupled to the fixed frame, and a suction member coupled to the fixed frame and adjacent to the storage box. A first drive member and a second drive member are coupled to the fixed frame and the first drive member and located opposite to the suction member, and a picking member is coupled to the first drive member and parallel to the storage box. The picking member and the suction member pull with a vacuum on either side of a packing bag, and the first and second drive member move the picking member away from the suction member to open the packing bag.

FIELD

The subject matter herein generally relates to product packaging.

BACKGROUND

A mechanism is used in packing to pack work pieces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Implementations of the present technology will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a bagging mechanism.

FIG. 2 is an exploded, isometric view of a portion of the bagging mechanism of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is similar to the FIG. 1, but showing the bagging mechanism in a first operating state.

FIG. 4 is similar to the FIG. 1, but showing the bagging mechanism in a second operating state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant feature being described. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the proportions of certain parts have been exaggerated to better illustrate details and features of the present disclosure.

Several definitions that apply throughout this disclosure will now be presented.

The term “coupled” is defined as connected, whether directly or indirectly through intervening components, and is not necessarily limited to physical connections. The connection can be such that the objects are permanently connected or releasably connected. The term “inside” indicates that at least a portion of a region is partially contained within a boundary formed by the object. The term “substantially” is defined to be essentially conforming to the particular dimension, shape, or other feature that the term modifies, such that the component need not be exact. For example, “substantially cylindrical” means that the object resembles a cylinder, but can have one or more deviations from a true cylinder. The term “comprising,” when utilized, means “including, but not necessarily limited to”; it specifically indicates open-ended inclusion or membership in the so-described combination, group, series and the like.

FIG. 1 illustrates a bagging mechanism 100. The bagging mechanism 100 can include a support assembly 10, a storage assembly 30, a picking member 50, a suction member 60, a drive assembly 70, a transfer table 80, and a push assembly 90. The storage assembly 30, the suction member 60, the drive assembly 70, and the push assembly 90 can be installed on the support assembly 10. The suction member 60 can be located between the storage assembly 30 and the drive assembly 70. The picking member 50 can be coupled to the drive assembly 70 and located above the storage assembly 30. The transfer table 80 can be adjacent to the support assembly 10 and located at a side of the suction member 60.

FIG. 2 illustrates the support assembly 10 which includes a fixed frame 12, a support member 14, a connecting member 16, and a support bracket 18. The fixed frame 12 can be substantially frame box-shaped and include twelve rods 122. The connecting member 16 can be coupled to a rod 122 located at a bottom of the fixed frame 12 and partially received in the fixed frame 12. The support member 14 can be substantially rectangular, be coupled to the connecting member 16, and extend toward an inside space of the fixed frame 12. The support bracket 18 can be substantially L-shaped. A first end of the support bracket 18 can be coupled to the connecting member 16, and a second end of the support bracket 18 opposite to the first end can be located above the connecting member 16.

The storage assembly 30 can include a storage box 32 and a storage drive member 35. The storage drive member 35, located inside the fixed frame 12, can be coupled to the rod 122 with connecting member 16. The storage box 32 can be substantially strip-shaped, coupled to the storage drive member 35, located above the support member 14, and extend toward the inside space of the fixed frame 12. The storage box 32 can define a storage groove 322 on a side away from the storage drive member 35. The storage drive member 35 can be configured to drive the storage box 32. The storage groove 322 can extend longitudinally along the storage box 32 and be configured to receive packing bags 200 (shown in FIG. 3).

The picking member 50 can include a fixing plate 52 and a plurality of suction heads 54. The fixing plate 52 can be substantially strip-shaped and spaced from the storage box 32. The longitudinal direction of the fixing plate 52 can be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the storage box 32. The plurality of suction heads 54 can be arranged on a side of the fixing plate 52 along the longitudinal direction and can extend toward the storage box 32. Each suction head 54 can be coupled to a vacuum generator (not shown) to vacuum-lift or release the packing bags 200.

The suction member 60, located at a side of the support member 14 away from the connecting member 16, can be coupled to the support member 14 and parallel to the storage box 32. The suction member 60 can include two suction portions 62 connected to each other. Each suction portion 62 can be substantially hollow and rectangular and define an opening (not shown) on an end. The open ends of the two suction portions 62 can be brought together and inserted into each other to seal the two openings. Each suction portion 62 can include a suction surface 623 and define a plurality of suction holes 625 on the suction surface 623, and a through hole 627 on a side face which is vertical to the suction surface 623. The through holes 627 can communicate with the suction holes 625 and configured to receive the vacuum generator. In other embodiments, the number of through holes 627 and suction portions 62 can be the same, being one or more than two.

The drive assembly 70 can include a first drive member 72, a second drive member 74, and a third drive member 76. The first drive member 72 can be coupled to the fixing plate 52 and configured to drive the taking assembly 50 to move along a Y-axis. The second drive member 74 can be coupled to the first drive member 72 and located above the first drive member 72. The second drive member 74 can be configured to drive the first drive member 72 to move along a Z-axis. The third drive member 76, located above the second drive member 74, can be coupled to the second drive member 74 and movably installed on rods 122 located at top of the fixed frame 12. The third drive member 76 can be configured to drive the second drive member 74 to move along an X-axis.

The transfer table 80 can be adjacent to the connecting member 16 and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the suction portion 62. A height of the transfer table 80 can be the same as the height of the suction member 60, so that the transfer table 80 can transport workpieces 300 (see FIG. 3) to the suction member 60. A transfer direction of the transfer table 80 can be parallel to the X-axis.

The push assembly 90 can include a first push member 92, a second push member 94, and a push rod 96. The first push member 92 can be coupled to an end of the support bracket 18 away from the connecting member 16. The second push member 94 can be coupled to the first push member 92, and the first push member 92 can be configured to move the second push member 94 along the X-axis. The push rod 96 can be coupled to the second push member 94, and the second push member 94 can move the push rod 96 along the Z-axis. The push rod 96 can extend toward the transfer table 80 along the Z-axis.

FIG. 3 illustrates the bagging mechanism in a first operation. The bagging mechanism 100 can pack one or more workpieces 300 into the packing bag 200. The packing bags 200 can be received in the storage box 32. The storage drive member 35 can move the storage box 32 along the Z-axis, so that the suction heads 54 of the suction member 50 can make contact with a packing bag 200 in the storage box 32. A first side of the packing bag 200, in close proximity to the suction heads 54, can be vacuum-lifted by the suction heads 54. The first drive member 72 can move the picking member 50 toward the suction member 60 along the Y-axis. When the packing bag 200, lifted by the picking member 50, is located above the suction member 60, the second drive member 74 can move the first drive member 72 along the Z-axis, so that the suction member 60 can make contact with the packing bag 200. A second side of the packing bag 200, then in close proximity to the suction member 60 and opposite to the first side, can be vacuum-lifted by the suction member 60. The second drive member 74 can move the picking member 50 along the Z-axis, thereby opening the packing bag 200 via the suction member 60 and the suction heads 54. The transfer table 80 can move the one or more workpieces 300 to enter the packing bag 200 along the X-axis, so that the one or more workpieces 300 are encased in the packing bag 200.

FIG. 4 illustrates, in a second operation, that the push assembly 90 can push the workpiece 300 to completely enter the packing bag 200 and thereby the workpiece 300 can be completely received in the packing bag 200. The second push member 94 can move the push rod 96 to resist an end of the one or more workpieces 300 away from the packing bag 200 along the Z-axis. The first push member 96 can move the second push member 94 along the X-axis, and therefore the push rod 96 can push the workpiece 300 to enter the packing bag 200 along the X-axis, so that the one or more workpieces 300 can be completely received in the packing bag 200. The suction portions 62 can release the packing bag 200, and then the second drive member 76 can move the picking member along the X-axis, so that the packing bag 200 containing the one or more workpieces 300 can be moved away from the suction portions 62.

The push assembly 90 can be omitted as long as the one or more workpieces 300 are completely received in the packing bag 200. The transfer table 80 and the suction member 60 can be arranged on an incline, and the suction member 60 can be located below the transfer table 80.

The third drive member 76 can be omitted as long as the packing bag 200 containing one or more workpieces 300 can be moved away from the suction member 60.

The support member 14, the connecting member 16, and the support bracket 18 can be omitted, and the suction member 60 and the push assembly 90 can be respectively connected to the bottom and to the top of the fixed frame 12. The storage drive member 35 can be omitted, and the storage box 32 can be connected to the fixed frame 12.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to particular embodiments, the description is illustrative of the disclosure and is not to be construed as limiting the disclosure. Therefore, those of ordinary skill in the art can make various modifications to the embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure, as defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A bagging mechanism comprising: a fixed frame; a storage box coupled to the fixed frame and configured to receive a plurality of packing bags; a suction member coupled to the fixed frame and located adjacent to the storage box, the suction member configured to lift one of the plurality of the packing bags; a first drive member coupled to the fixed frame; a second drive member coupled to the fixed frame and the first drive member and located opposite to the suction member; and a picking member coupled to the first drive member and parallel to the storage box, the picking member being configured to lift the packing bag from the storage box; wherein the first drive member is configured to drive the picking member toward the suction member, and the second drive member is configured to drive the first drive member to cause the packing bag to be lifted by the picking member be in close proximity to the suction member, so that the second drive member drives the picking member away from the suction member to open the packing bag.
 2. The bagging mechanism of the claim 1, wherein the picking member comprises a fixing plate and a plurality of suction heads arranged on a side of the fixing plate, the fixing plate is coupled to the first drive member and spaced from the storage box, and a longitudinal direction of the fixing plate is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the storage box.
 3. The bagging mechanism of the claim 1, wherein the bagging mechanism further comprises a support member installed on the fixed frame, the suction member is installed on the support member to adjust a height of the suction member.
 4. The bagging member of the claim 1, wherein the bagging mechanism further comprises a push assembly, the push assembly comprises a first push member coupled to the fixed frame, a second push member coupled to the first push member, and a push rod coupled to the second push member, the push rod extends toward the suction member and is vertical to the suction member.
 5. The bagging mechanism of the claim 1, wherein the bagging mechanism further comprises a third drive member movable installed on the fixed frame, the third drive member is coupled to the second drive member and configured to move the packing bags away from the suction member.
 6. The bagging mechanism of the claim 1, wherein the bagging mechanism further comprises a storage drive member installed on the fixed frame, the storage drive member is coupled to the storage box and configured to move the storage box.
 7. The bagging mechanism of the claim 1, wherein the suction member comprises two suction portions communicating with each other.
 8. The bagging mechanism of the claim 7, wherein each suction portion comprises a suction surface and define a plurality of suction holes on the suction surface and a through hole on a side face which is vertical to the suction surface, the through hole communicates with the plurality of suction holes.
 9. The bagging mechanism of claim 1, wherein the storage box defines a storage groove extending along a longitudinal direction of the storage box to receive the packing bag.
 10. A bagging mechanism comprising: a fixed frame; a storage box coupled to the fixed frame and configured to receive a plurality of packing bags; a transfer table adjacent to the fixed frame and configured to transport one or more workpieces; a suction member coupled to the fixed frame and located adjacent to the storage box, the suction member configured to lift one of the plurality of the packing bags; a first drive member; a second drive member coupled to the fixed frame and the first drive member and located opposite to the suction member; and a picking member coupled to the first drive member and parallel to the storage box, the picking member being configured to lift the packing bag from the storage box; wherein the first drive member is configured to drive the picking member toward the suction member, and the second drive member is configured to drive the first drive member to cause the packing bag to be lifted by the picking member be in close proximity to the suction member, so that the second drive member drives the picking member away from the suction member to open the packing bag.
 11. The bagging mechanism of the claim 10, wherein the picking member comprises a fixing plate and a plurality of suction heads arranged on a side of the fixing plate, the fixing plate is coupled to the first drive member and spaced from the storage box, and a longitudinal direction of the fixing plate is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the storage box.
 12. The bagging mechanism of the claim 10, wherein the bagging mechanism further comprises a support member installed on the fixed frame, the suction member is installed on the support member to adjust a height of the suction member to match with the height of the transfer table.
 13. The bagging member of the claim 10, wherein the bagging mechanism further comprises a push assembly, the push assembly comprises a first push member coupled to the fixed frame, a second push member coupled to the first push member, and a push rod coupled to the second push member, the push rod extends toward the transfer table and is vertical to the transfer table.
 14. The bagging mechanism of the claim 10, wherein the bagging mechanism further comprises a third drive member movable installed on the fixed frame, the third drive member is coupled to the second drive member and configured to move the second drive member along the transfer direction of the transfer table to transport the packing bags.
 15. The bagging mechanism of the claim 10, wherein the bagging mechanism further comprises a storage drive member installed to the fixed frame, the storage drive member is coupled to the storage box and configured to move the storage box.
 16. The bagging mechanism of the claim 10, wherein the suction member comprises two suction portions communicating with each other.
 17. The bagging mechanism of the claim 16, wherein each suction portion comprises a suction surface and define a plurality of suction holes on the suction surface and a through hole on a side face vertical to the suction surface, the through hole communicates with the plurality of suction holes.
 18. A bagging mechanism comprising: a fixed frame; a storage box coupled to the fixed frame; a transfer table adjacent to the fixed frame; a suction member coupled to the fixed frame and adjacent to the storage box; a second drive member coupled to the fixed frame and opposite to the suction member; a first drive member coupled to the second drive member; a picking member coupled to the first drive member and parallel to the storage box; wherein the first drive member is configured to drive the picking member toward the suction member along a first direction vertical to a transfer direction of the transfer table, and the second drive member is configured to drive the first drive member toward or away from the suction member along a second direction vertical to the first direction and the transfer direction. 